Layne Wilkerson for Mayor of Frankfort, KY

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Leo Haggerty

From the Mayor’s Desk: A Productive Night for Frankfort

First, thank everyone who shared positive feedback on my budget article last week. That message is the launch of a regular series of updates where I can communicate directly with you about important city matters and share my perspective.

The idea came from a noticeable lack of meaningful information from other local sources, especially on something as important as the annual budget. While I acknowledge having a natural bias toward the decisions I help make, I will strive to maintain an objective view of the situation and be honest about areas where we can improve.

With that in mind, I would like to share my thoughts on the most recent City Commission meeting and explain why it was so significant.

Last week’s meeting was one of the most productive since the new Commission took office, addressing several of our city’s core priorities: growing our tax base, improving quality of life, enhancing public services, and preparing Frankfort for the future. It was a fitting way to close out our fiscal year, which ended on June 30.

We formally adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) city budget, which I highlighted in last week’s newsletter. It is a disciplined and forward-thinking financial plan, with a projected general fund surplus for the first time in five years. That is the direct result of smart budgeting, modernized systems, and a strong focus on growing revenue responsibly without raising taxes.

But the good news didn’t stop there.

Housing
We also approved a mediation agreement that clears the way for long-awaited road expansion on the old Noel Farm property (on the East-West connector behind Franklin Square shopping center). This is a crucial step toward unlocking new housing opportunities in one of our fastest-growing areas. 

That same evening, we passed a resolution to move forward with the Banyan Foundation on a project that will bring much-needed affordable housing to the city-owned property on Schenkel Lane. Their proposal stood out for its strong development concept, offering a detailed, multi-phase vision for a mixed-income neighborhood.

The plan includes an initial phase of $16 million for 60 affordable rental units, future workforce housing, and commercial space, all supported by high-quality architectural renderings and site layouts prepared by DNA Workshop, a nationally recognized firm specializing in affordable housing design.

I have long said that one of the most significant barriers to Frankfort’s growth is our limited housing supply. These actions represent real progress toward putting new units in service and meeting the needs of current and future residents.

Downtown Revitalization
We also activated the long-planned TIF district downtown, which includes the old civic center and YMCA sites. This incentive tool enables the city to capture new tax revenue from future development and reinvest it in the infrastructure that supports these projects, such as the new transit center and parking structure.

Redevelopment is getting close, with the selection of a site and developer for the new downtown conference center expected soon. Once that decision is made, the redevelopment of the downtown parcels will accelerate, giving everyone the clarity needed to move forward.

Modernizing Government
I firmly believe in the concept of a “smart city,” where we use data and technology to deliver services more effectively and make better-informed decisions for our residents. To that end, we have approved a new contract with a technology platform that will enhance internal efficiency, facilitate the collection of more of what we are owed, and ultimately save money, all while delivering better service to taxpayers.

This is part of our broader strategy to modernize city government from the ground up. That includes future efforts to digitize records and create a one-stop shop for many government applications and services.

Supporting Our Residents
Finally, we allocated $195,000 to five local nonprofits as part of our efforts to combat opioid abuse. These funds will directly support prevention, treatment, and recovery programs in our community. It is an investment in both public health and public safety.

I am proud of the direction we are heading as we continue transforming Frankfort into a true regional hub, through expanded housing, downtown revitalization, modernized government, and support for those who need it most. The second half of this year promises to be even more productive than the first, and I am grateful to have a dedicated City Commission working alongside me to keep Frankfort moving forward.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and for being part of Frankfort’s progress. If you know others who would appreciate hearing directly from me, please feel free to share this with them. 

 
Thanks,

Building a Stronger Frankfort: FY26 Budget Reflects Stability, Investment, and Momentum

As we enter a new fiscal year, I want to share how the FY26 city budget reflects our commitment to disciplined financial management, strategic investment, and long-term stability for Frankfort. This twelve-month budget reflects our commission’s priorities and serves as a blueprint for building a strong financial future. The results are a projected surplus, with no new fees.

At just over $45 million, our general fund budget maintains funding for core services while laying the foundation for continued growth. Public safety remains our top priority, with more than half of the general fund allocated to police, fire, EMS, and 911. These essential services keep our city safe and secure, and they remain our top priority. As evidenced by the recent floods, we must be prepared to respond to any emergency at any time. 

We are also investing more in the departments that keep Frankfort clean, connected, and moving forward. Sanitation, transit, planning, and public works all receive increased funding next year to support our growing city. 

Perhaps most notable is that this is our first projected general fund surplus in five years (and, as of this writing, it appears we will also end the current fiscal year with a surplus as well). This outcome reflects our commitment to modernizing systems, managing expenses, and growing revenue responsibly. This hard work is starting to pay dividends. The projected surplus is available for additional funding needed for contingencies throughout the year and, if unspent, will further strengthen our already healthy reserves.  

This budget also marks a turning point. We can now say that Frankfort has fully recovered from the fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have switched from playing defense to playing offense. 

Significant projects are advancing across the city, with new ones slated for this year, including city-wide park improvements, a new fire station, and a new meeting and event center. These efforts will improve quality of life, drive tourism, and expand the city’s revenue base. These projects are being mostly funded through dedicated sources outside the general fund, to limit strain on day-to-day operations.

Meanwhile, several ongoing projects are bringing us closer to realizing new revenue from previously committed funds. We are primarily focused on the long-awaited west side investment, which includes the much-publicized Paddocks development. We are also advancing the development of the downtown parcels. A joint city-county committee is currently reviewing proposals for a new meeting and event center in that area, with a selection expected soon.


These projects will add new housing, new jobs, attract businesses, and connect more residents to opportunity. These projects come with bond obligations, but we have structured these investments carefully. This budget includes annual bond payments that are fully funded from a designated account, separate from the general fund.

We are also seeing the benefits of key structural changes made over the past two years. The Finance Committee, established early in my term, has improved long-range forecasting, policy guidance, and the connection between financial strategy and capital investment. These reforms may not make headlines, but they are building a stronger city government.

This year, the commission also created a Technology and Innovation Committee to modernize service delivery, integrate systems, and promote transparent, efficient government. We are digitizing more records, automating outdated workflows, and enhancing the way departments collaborate and serve the public. These measures will not only improve constituent services but also save time and expense.
 
Meanwhile, we are modernizing our revenue collection process to ensure the city receives what it is owed fairly and efficiently. That helps us keep rates low while making revenue more predictable.
Our cash reserves are now working harder for us due to strategic financial management. We are generating more interest income and have positioned a portion of our reserves into long-term investments that can potentially produce higher returns, which will benefit not only future commissions and mayors, but the future of our city.

The bottom line is this: Frankfort is on solid financial ground and poised to capitalize on future opportunities. We have adequate reserves. We are managing debt responsibly. We are making smart, future-focused investments that will position us for long-term success.
I am proud of this budget because it reflects our priorities now and invests in the future.  It is a testament that we are on the right track, and the best is yet to come. As always, I welcome your questions and feedback. I am proud of this progress and grateful to work alongside so many of you to build a stronger Frankfort.

Thanks,

City launches incentive program to attract remote workers looking to relocate

CHANDA VENO May 19, 2023 – State Journal

In 2020 one of the things I ran on was establishing a remote workers program. The Remote Worker Initiative is just the latest investment in Frankfort’s future. Join us as we continue to support the growth of our community and create new opportunities.

City leaders are hoping to attract remote workers looking to relocate to Frankfort through a new incentive program launched this week.

“The City of Frankfort is partnering with MakeMyMove, an Indianapolis-based online marketplace that connects move-ready talent with the communities that want to recruit them, and screens candidates for the program,” Penny Peavler, the city’s strategic initiatives consultant, told The State Journal.

Quickly becoming a preferred economic development strategy, recruiting those who work remotely to put down roots in the area adds to the population and tax base and can be done relatively quickly compared to attracting new businesses, which can take months or years and involves construction, permitting issues, traffic and environmental concerns.

“It’s a wonderful way to grow your community,” Mayor Layne Wilkerson added.

Those who apply, meet the eligibility requirements and are selected will receive an incentive package worth $6,000, which includes $5,000 cash, a $50 Buffalo Trace Distillery gift card (as well as a tour of the distillery with Freddie Johnson), a mingle with the mayor, a progressive dinner with downtown residents, an historic Frankfort tour and a welcome basket.

“Frankfort is the heart, the soul, the spirit of Kentucky,”

Mayor Layne Wilkerson

“We talk with remote workers every day, and the biggest thing they want out of a community is a place where they can be a part of things, a place where they can balance work responsibilities but enjoy their surroundings, both aesthetically and in personal relationships,” MakeMyMove co-founder and COO Evan Hock said. “Frankfort has all of that and more, and if you’re a bourbon fan, well, it might just be your Heaven on Earth.”

Wilkerson and his wife, Natalie, will welcome the five new transplants at their historic home during an evening mingle that will include sampling Kentucky cuisine and learning local traditions.

“Frankfort is the heart, the soul, the spirit of Kentucky,” the mayor remarked. “Our welcome mat is open to remote workers who want to live in a community that has big city amenities but a small town feel and opportunities to experience some of the country’s most beautiful outdoor recreational sites.”

The winning applicants will also participate in a progressive dinner, which will include a casual family meal of hors d’oeuvres, salad, main course and dessert — each taking place at a different walkable location in the city’s historic district.

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